updated 02:21 pm EDT, Tue August 21, 2012

Putting pen to screen

Samsung announced its Galaxy Note 10.1 as signaling a seismic shift in the way tablets are used. Electronista has its hands on a copy for review, and we're in the process of seeing just how productive one can be with Samsung's productivity tablet. For now, take a look at our first impressions of the device, as well as some images showing off both the tablet and its stylus.

The Note 10.1 comes in unassuming enough packaging that's easy to open. Getting the device out of the box, one finds the Note 10.1 to be a remarkably light affair. To be exact, 1.31lbs. This is the sort of device one can hold in one hand for a long period of time without the slightest bit of fatigue. It's not too hard to imagine this airiness coming in handy when working with the S Pen.

That lightness does apparently come at a cost, though; it's possible due to the materials that make up the device. Handling the Note 10.1, as we pointed out in our initial hands-on, leaves one with a certain sense of insubstantiality, and not in a good way. The plastic backing on the Note 10.1 is as much of a detractor as it was when we first laid eyes on the device. It still gives a strange, hollow-sounding report when tapped with one's fingers. It doesn't quite give the impression that it's easy to break, but we'd imagine an unfortunate drop could mean the end of this little productivity machine.

Aside from the build quality, there's little more one can ask for from an Android tablet. The S Pen, in our initial tests, works beautifully. The multitasking, while not available for every app, is a novel addition, and we can see a good deal of work getting done using that.

At first glance, it looks like Samsung's got a winner on its hands, albeit a winner with a few flaws and head scratchers here and there. We're going to take some time to put the tablet through its paces, and we'll be back soon with a full review where we'll suss out the ups and downs of Samsung's newest tablet entry.